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A man who laced sweets with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and ten years old.

The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and one adult fell ill at the location in July.

The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on recently.

Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.

The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on late November.

'Candy game'

The legal representative, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the court.

She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.

The defendant played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".

She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.

She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.

The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, for good reason.

"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."

The prosecutor said materials including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.

She explained the defendant went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.

"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she continued.

The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.

Mrs Prior explained the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson called the authorities a second time.

She stated the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.